Schwarzenegger
works to rebuild, renew California
Kristyn
McGrath
Arnold
Schwarzenegger has come a long way from
flexing muscles to get his first Mr.
Universe title in 1970, to flexing muscles
in politics to become the next governor
of California.
Schwarzenegger was sworn in as California’s 38th governor on Nov. 17,
2003, with a multitude of ideas to rebuild the state.
With dreams of an immigrant, Schwarzenegger said in his inaugural speech, “I
did not seek this office to do things the way that they’ve always been
done. What I care about is restoring new confidence in your government.”
He has tried to accomplish just that since speaking those words.
Schwarzenegger has worked hard for the past 18 months to make California a
better place, to get California out of debt and to create a better future for
the state’s children.
Schwarzenegger is said to be living the American dream. He came to the country
with nothing but a vision, hopes and ideas and has transformed his way from
celebrity to “celebreality” as governor of California.
Like many celebrities, Schwarzenegger has dealt with many issues from the press,
like the sex scandal that supposedly took place during the election process
to turn the women voters against him.
Although the scandal may have lost a few votes, Schwarzenegger seemed to have
won enough hearts of many Californians to become governor. But now his ratings
are dropping presently in the polls with a disapproval of 58 percent.
I believe Schwarzenegger is doing the best he can. He is bringing fairness
to California and will continue to serve this state in a way that he originally
intended. Like most politicians, Schwarzenegger has made mistakes throughout
his term.
He has only taken a few state reforms into effect as of now. He and his team
reorganized the state prison system. He also has allowed drivers to renew licenses
online, just to name a few.
But there are a few reforms that have yet to take effect. He has yet
to reorganize state agencies into 11 unified departments and he hasn’t
created a merit system for state workers, but I believe our state is going
to have a great future with him as its leader.
Californians are looking for a governor who can turn this place around and
make a better community in which everyone can live and prosper. But what most
people don’t realize is that these things take time and they don’t
happen quickly.
Schwarzenegger is a very tough man, but he will not be able to do everything
on his own. He needs the help of citizens to support to rebuild “The
Golden State.”
Some reasons for his decline in the polls is because much of the Latino population
feels that Schwarzenegger has neglected them throughout his term by not appointing
any Latinos to his administration. In addition, many teachers throughout the
state disapprove of his job performance.
Teachers feel Schwarzenegger is ignoring the problem with our public schools
by not putting enough of our tax dollars where they need to be the most, in
our education system. But what he always seems to do is put the children of
California and their safety first.
Teachers seem to believe that the more money we spend on education, the better
education we will have in California. This is not necessarily the truth. Spending
a lot of money on education will not always be the answer; children can still
have a good education. This makes their argument unreliable.
It has been said, “Sovereignty rests with the people, not the government.” This
means the people hold the future of California in their hands. It is their
duty to do with it as they please.
Schwarzenegger cannot make things happen alone. It is up to Californians to
act on the opportunity to make this a better state for everyone. Gray Davis
left office with a $17 billion deficit. He left us all in a hole that now requires
us to dig out.
I have full faith that Schwarzenegger will get us where we need to be for California
to once again thrive. On the screen or in office, Schwarzenegger will always
have my vote.
Kristyn McGrath is a freshman journalism major. |
